-
CHH100
Humanities Essentials
This module provides the foundation to BA Combined Honours. Via specific case studies and cultural artefacts, you will be introduced to the different disciplines of the humanities and explore both the differences and the commonalities between them. You will examine how the humanities shape the world around us, whilst being supported to explore your own specific interests and learning to work in an interdisciplinary and comparative area of study. In so doing, you will gain an appreciation of the value of the humanities, as well as the study skills needed to succeed in humanities disciplines.
-
CHH200
Global Humanities, Local Dialogues
This module will give you an introduction to the practice of independent critical and creative research. In line with the interdisciplinary nature of BA Combined Honours, you will generate a research question which combines at least two humanities disciplines, before developing it into a finished project under the guidance of the module convenor.
The form that your final piece of work will take is up to you; a practice that is known as the `unessay¿. You will choose your topic and decide how you are going to present it, which means that you are free to draw on your own strengths and enthusiasms and engage in `out of the box¿ thinking that goes beyond the traditional academic essay. You may, for example, decide to produce a photography portfolio, write a short story, make a podcast, construct a website, create an artwork, or design a boardgame. Anything and everything is acceptable so long as it engages with your research question, but must be formally agreed in advance (by Week 4 of teaching) with the module convenor. In the course of the module you will also critically reflect on the creative process of devising and completing an unessay.
-
ML-102
Reel Lives: Framing the Human Condition in European Film
Since its earliest days, cinema has had the power to illuminate the complexities of the human experience. Building on this foundation, you will examine how European filmmakers portray the struggles, triumphs, and defining moments of their films¿ characters, as well as the influence those films exert on you, the audience, within a wider cultural, social and political context. Through a selection of visually striking and emotionally resonant films, you will explore the cinematic techniques that bring these stories to life, offering insight into the human condition and contemporary debate about what it means to be European in the 21st Century. In so doing, this module asks you to reflect on that most fundamental question: what does it mean to be human?
-
ML-111
Cultural Perspectives in Modern Languages
Understanding culture is central to learning any language, and this module offers a broad introduction to the rich cultural traditions behind the languages you study. You¿ll explore a wide range of cultural forms - from poetry and novels to film, painting, and drama - and discover how they reflect the societies and historical moments in which they were created. As you develop your ability to interpret and analyse these texts, you will gain essential skills in close reading, essay writing, and cultural commentary. This module also lays a strong foundation for deeper study of cultural and historical topics in later modules.
-
ML-204
Capital(ising) Culture: Reimagining the city
Cities have always been centres of culture and power. They are dynamic settings which are ever-changing and evolving yet carry traces of the past which can be made visible in art. They have been crucibles of modernity across the western world, marked by technological innovation, migration, war and civil unrest, and socio-economic hegemony. Large conurbations and capital cities can become representative of their countries or nations, making their study a gateway to understanding the wider culture. Via this module, you will study the intersections of history and the built urban environment as articulated in a selection of films, short fiction, plays, reportage, paintings or music which have been inspired by cities such as Berlin, Paris, and Barcelona amongst others.
-
ML-206
Cinema in a World Context
With Hollywood continuing to dominate global cinematic production and consumption, this module will introduce you to a selection of films which are generally categorised as "World Cinema". Lectures will explore both the thematic and technical elements of a selection of various films, situating each one in its political, historical and global context. As such, the module offers you an insight into key cinematic forms, movements and moments via which you will gain not only an understanding of the specifics of each individual film studied, but also a heightened understanding of the impact of World Cinema on western cinematic production.
-
ML-320
Modern Languages Dissertation Preparation
This module introduces you to the practice of research and dissertation writing in the field of Modern Languages and will guide you in the first part of your dissertation preparation.
Areas covered include: selecting a relevant topic, asking relevant research questions, preparing and writing up a literature review, preparing and writing up a research proposal, research methods and library research tools, making use of foreign-language sources, structuring your dissertation, analysis and argumentation, compiling a bibliography.
In addition to lectures and seminars, you will have three meetings with your supervisor. By the end of the module you will have developed your dissertation topic, know what methodology you will use and have acquired knowledge of how to organise and lay out your dissertation.
Assessment for the module consists of a literature review, a research proposal and a presentation.
-
ML-321
Modern Languages Dissertation
This module provides students with the opportunity to research one aspect of French, German, Italian or Hispanic culture in detail, and to present the findings of their research in a dissertation of 8000 words.
The module will be taught by means of four practical seminars on research and writing skills, and through three formal supervision sessions with a dissertation supervisor. Your supervisor will help you to find a topic, suggest research strategies, agree a suitable title, discuss the structure of your dissertation, and will read closely and comment on one draft chapter. The topic may relate to a module you are doing at Level 3, provided that this does not involve a duplication of material and is agreed with the module coordinator in advance.
The dissertations may be written in English, in your target language, or in Welsh
-
MLF305
Intersectional Identities in Contemporary French Cinema
French cinema has long played a leading role in challenging the mores of contemporary society. Through the analysis of seven films, which will be situated in their cultural, historical and political context, this module seeks to examine the representation and intersection of race, ethnicity, class, sexuality and gender in contemporary French cinema. In so doing, it will highlight the continued importance of `la caméra-stylo¿ both for our understanding of society and the people who comprise it, and for the manner in which it encourages new ways of seeing, feeling and belonging.
-
MLF330A
French General Language 3A
This module is the culmination of advanced level study of French which will equip students with the skills needed to communicate orally and in writing at a near-native level. This module aims to consolidate and extend the language skills developed by students from the beginners and advanced language pathways. It concentrates on developing clarity, fluency, organisation, structure and accuracy in written and spoken French, establishing a firm understanding of the finer points of the language relating to grammar and discourse, and extending students¿ vocabulary to read, write, and speak about issues related to contemporary francophone society and culture. Classes are mainly conducted in French. It is typically taken in conjunction with MLF330B. There is also a Welsh- medium version of this module: MLF330AW.
